Apparently, Using Food to Describe Skin Tone is Racist?

[Inspector_Spinda]

And as a black woman I find it refreshing when writers use more descriptives to describe our skin. I’ve read some things and it makes me question if the author has ever seen a black person before.

Do you remember any specific examples? I just want it for my descriptive library.

[foxnflames]

To me, I hate: chocolate, mahogany (not a food but I don’t like it lol), espresso, caramel. Words like that. I keep a tab open with a thesaurus when I get stuck. In my story, I have my character describe someone as being the deep brown of a tree. It makes sense for my character but it’s better than saying something like “tree colored person”. I can do some quick research of actual and hilarious examples of what not to do

[miss.monocle]

Try describing the color without addressing it flat out. Establishing dark skin is important for an initial introduction, but then describe how their skin reacts to the environment, or how their hair is styled. Darker skin, especially more melinated skin tends to flash light against it more. There are also a lot of variations to darker skin due to hyper pigmentation. Addressing their hairstyle can also make things more obvious. I have done this before by describing how a character in one of my projects styled her dreads.

Most white characters aren't outright described as white, but their other features are paid more attention to. That can be done for characters of color as well, but with the different features certain races and ethnicities have. It can really improve your writing anyway, as describing how "the glow of the sun glittered across her cheek, cutting a streak across her darkened skin," sounds more interesting than, "she had a deep, caramel coating to her skin in the sun."

[foxnflames]

“Ms. Smith had skin the color of caramel.”

“The girl brought her coffee-colored hands to her face in wonder.”

The article:

7 Casually Racist Things That White Authors Do

[Inspector_Spinda]

“tree colored person”

oh yeah that order of words is just dumb sounding generally

[Inspector_Spinda]

“Ms. Smith had skin the color of caramel.”

“The girl brought her coffee-colored hands to her face in wonder.”

Well fair I guess. I think it's one of those things I personally wouldn't do just because it's not something I would think to just naturally, but I wouldn't blink if someone else did it.

"Her skin was the color of a poorly plastered wall."

^^ slightly off topic, but I think it's funny.

[foxnflames]

I’m sure someone out there has said it. Also found these examples on how this particular writer describes POC

Describing characters of color in writing

[IndigoShirtProd]

I've heard "milky white" and "chocolate brown" used to describe skin tones before. Is it really, ahem,

Problematic?

It doesn't seem that offensive, at least to me.

[Inspector_Spinda]

fair but the first one was personally bizarre "Shanghainese and dignified"

that is... new and frankly dont know if i like it.

[foxnflames]

That one threw me off too I was like um....mkay

[miss.monocle]

From what I've heard, the use of food as a descriptor of skin tones (for POC) has roots in fetishization and it can also feel dehumanizing. I have definitely read more examples of food being used as a descriptor for characters of color than for white characters. I also would have to assume it just feels like a tired and overused trope from white writers who may not even listen to the stories of POC to influence their stories.

It's one of those things where you can do it if you want, but some people are going to dislike it and find it offensive. That can be confusing to a lot of white people (I speak in general as some on here are not), but it also isn't something white people encounter as much in writing, nor do they live with the ramifications it can have in the real world (i.e. fetishizing especially with black women).

[Inspector_Spinda]

I think a better way to describe it is that it just feels a bit sleazy. Like imagine being "Her skin was like vanilla ice cream and soft as a baby's butt."

[foxnflames]

if I read that I’d probably die laughing

[miss.monocle]

Oh god not that video! Yeah, I think food descriptors work best if you're writing dialogue for an asshole who is a sleazy douche haha

[Inspector_Spinda]

thanks im here all week

[Aims]

I don't think it's racist, because I don't think anybody does it with the intent of being racist or of offending anyone, and honestly I think I makes it easier for readers who don't have a rich knowledge of colors and color variations, but it's still really overdone and cliche...

[alexlcuri07]

I feel... I don't.... The sense of violation I have from watching that is immense. XD

[indagold]

I've seen it being used actually by poc people...on dating sites... looking for hookups.

I guess it works if you want to be as lecherous and sleazy as possible lol

[Inspector_Spinda]

I don't think it's racist, because I don't think anybody does it with the intent of being racist or of offending anyone, and honestly I think I makes it easier for readers how don't have a rich knowledge of color and color variations, but it's still really overdone and cliche...

I see what you mean. I don't know what to tell ya. Sometime doing the good thing is complicated. That's why I also think it's important, whoever we are do take things in good faith. If a black character is good overall it may be something we just need to take on the cheek. All I can say is that it does feel a bit "off" to me even though I'm not black, but I get other people may have a different level of sensitivity. It's a weird issue.

[IndigoShirtProd]

Never considered the fetishization angle. Now I can understand how a descriptor like that can bring someone down to level of food; to only be gawked at and consumed. I never really use those words to describe skin tone specifically so it never really crossed my mind.